Welcome back, fellow wordplay enthusiasts, to another dive into the fascinating world of cryptic crosswords! Today, we’re dissecting a recent entry that truly exemplifies the cleverness and occasional head-scratching joy these puzzles bring. It’s a beautifully crafted
crossword clue
that, at first glance, might send you down a few winding paths before the brilliance of its construction becomes clear.
The clue we’re focusing on is:
“Isobel twists round girdle (4)“
.
Isn’t that a gem? Just four words, a proper noun, a verb phrase, and a seemingly straightforward definition, all wrapped up with that crucial number in parentheses indicating the length of our target word. When a
crossword clue
like this pops up in your daily puzzle, it immediately piques the interest. Is “Isobel” a red herring? Is “twists round” a literal instruction or a classic cryptic indicator? And how on earth does it all tie back to a “girdle”?
One of the first things many seasoned solvers will spot is the inclusion of a proper noun – “Isobel.” Cryptic crosswords love to play with names. Sometimes they’re an anagram of themselves or part of an anagram. Other times, they hint at an associated word, a well-known person, or even a different spelling. The beauty of a well-placed proper noun in a
crossword clue
is its ability to either be the key to the solution or a delightful piece of misdirection. For “Isobel,” you might immediately start thinking about variations of the name, or perhaps famous people named Isobel, trying to see if any connection leaps out. This initial exploration is a crucial part of the solving process for any challenging
crossword clue
.
Then there’s the phrase “twists round.” This immediately sets off alarm bells for anyone familiar with cryptic mechanics. “Twists” is a classic anagram indicator. “Round” can also be part of an anagram, or indicate reversal, or even containment. The setter’s art here is in combining these elements. Does “twists round” apply to “Isobel,” to “girdle,” or to something entirely different that the clue is subtly suggesting? The interplay of these potential interpretations is what makes parsing this particular
crossword clue
such a rewarding challenge. You’re asked to consider whether a part of the clue needs to be rearranged, reversed, or perhaps even read in an unexpected way to unveil the hidden meaning.
The definition, “girdle (4),” seems simple enough. We’re looking for a four-letter word that means “girdle.” But the journey to that word, navigating the twists and turns of “Isobel twists round,” is where the real fun lies. This isn’t just about knowing vocabulary; it’s about understanding the unique language of the setter. A good
crossword clue
doesn’t just ask you to recall facts; it asks you to think laterally, to consider multiple possibilities, and to trust that “aha!” moment when all the elements finally click into place.
For those of you who relish a truly satisfying solve, this kind of
crossword clue
is pure gold. It’s the kind that might have you staring at it over your morning coffee, only to have the solution suddenly emerge while you’re walking the dog. It forces you to consider every word, every punctuation mark, and every possible interpretation before you arrive at the elegant simplicity of the answer. It reminds us why we keep coming back to these brain-teasers day after day.
So, take a moment with “Isobel twists round girdle (4).” How would
you
approach this
crossword clue
? What initial thoughts spring to mind? Stay tuned, because the unraveling of this one is a masterclass in cryptic brilliance!
Available Answers:
BELT.
Last seen on the crossword puzzle: Metro Cryptic Crossword Clues Tuesday, 5 August 2025